Galion homes evacuated after gas line breaks in crash

Firefighters and a crew from Columbia Gas were called to the scene of a crash at Ohio 19 and Biddle Road on Tuesday, July 31, after a high-pressure natural gas line was broken.(Photo: Jason Molyet/Telegraph-Forum)Buy Photo

GALION - Residences on the west side of the city were evacuated Tuesday morning after a high-pressure gas line was broken in a vehicle crash, according to the Galion Police Department.

Galion fire Lt. Mike Saurers said about eight homes were evacuated, but all residents were allowed to return to their homes after a few hours. Those evacuated lived near the 1200 block of Ohio 19 South (Bucyrus Road).

Ohio 19 was closed between Biddle and Evans roads, and police asked residents to avoid the area.

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Firefighters and employees of Columbia Gas work at the the site of a crash that caused a gas leak west of Galion on Ohio 19.(Photo: Jason J. Molyet/News Journal)

Galion fire Chief Phil Jackson said at the scene a driver heading eastbound, toward Galion, went left of center and ran into a gas meter, which was connected to the main line into Galion. The vehicle came to rest on top of the gas meter.

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Ohio Route 19 was closed west of Galion on Tuesday after a vehicle crashed and broke a gas line causing evacuations in the area.(Photo: Jason J. Molyet/News Journal)

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office actually handled the crash, but a spokeswoman said she had no information to release to the media.

Saurers said one of the drivers was evaluated by EMS at the scene but declined transport.

The minor crash happened just inside the Galion city limits, near Community Christian Church, at 9:14 a.m., according to a police department spokeswoman.

"It was just an unfortunate hit," Saurers said.

Columbus Gas had the line clamped by around 11:30 a.m., Saurers said. He added firefighters were on the scene for about two hours.